Experts See 'Shifting' Faith Landscape as Religious Decline Slows in U.S.

Pew data shows Christian affiliation holding steady since 2020 despite long-term decline.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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According to experts speaking at the New York Encounter conference, recent data from the Pew Research Center suggests a potential shift in the religious landscape of the United States. While religious affiliation has declined steadily for decades, the share of U.S. adults identifying as Christian has held steady since 2020, defying expectations of continued secularization. Panelists cited additional Pew findings that 92% of Americans express some form of spiritual outlook, fueling interest and hope among those concerned about the nation's religious trends.

Why it matters

The apparent stabilization of religious affiliation and spiritual beliefs in the U.S. comes as a surprise, given the long-term decline in traditional religious participation. Experts say this shift could signal a renewed openness to faith and a continued human search for meaning and community, even if expressed outside traditional church settings.

The details

Pew research associate Chip Rotolo noted that the "fact that the religious decline we're so used to seeing is leveled off is a huge shift." He said recent data shows the number of Americans who are religiously affiliated, attend church, and pray daily have "been very stable," even during the COVID-19 pandemic when many expected religious participation to drop. Additionally, 92% of Americans express some form of spiritual outlook, believing in things like the existence of souls, God, or an afterlife. Author Justin Brierley said this shift represents a move away from the "New Atheism" popularized in the early 2000s, with some public intellectuals now openly professing religious belief.

  • The religious decline in the U.S. has been steady for decades.
  • The stabilization of religious affiliation began during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The players

Chip Rotolo

A research associate at the Pew Research Center who cited the organization's data on religious trends in the U.S.

Justin Brierley

Author of "The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God" who discussed the cultural shift away from "New Atheism."

Lauren Jackson

A religion columnist at The New York Times who discussed the paper's "Believing" series exploring Americans' spiritual desires.

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What they’re saying

“The fact that the religious decline we're so used to seeing is leveled off is a huge shift.”

— Chip Rotolo, Research associate, Pew Research Center (ncregister.com)

“When you look at where culture has actually gone and the science and technology we put in, it turns out we have made ourselves unhappier.”

— Justin Brierley, Author (ncregister.com)

The takeaway

The apparent stabilization of religious affiliation and spiritual beliefs in the U.S. suggests a shifting faith landscape, with a renewed openness to faith and a continued human search for meaning and community, even if expressed outside traditional church settings. This shift challenges long-held assumptions about the secularization of American society.